Climatology

Question 1

Tropical Climate (Equator rainforests)

Answer 1

10N to 10s
2 main rainy seasons (March/Sep)
Temps 25-35 degrees
High humidity
Convective cloud/heavy rain
Light surface winds (Doldrums)

Question 2

Tropical Climate (Savannah)

Answer 2

10/20 N/S
Rains in summer when ITCZ penetrates
Dry conditions in the winter
Average 18 degrees all year

Question 3

Arid/Dry Climate

Answer 3

20-35 N/S
Descending sub tropical highs
Little cloud/great diurnal variation
Frequent inversion

Question 4

Mid latitude climate (warm)

Answer 4

35-40 N/S
Hot and dry summer
Cool and unsettled with frontal lows in winter

Mediterranean for example

Question 5

Mid latitude cool climate

Answer 5

40-65 N/S
Wet/windy (westerly winds)
Cool summers/mild winters

UK for example

Question 6

Sub Artic/Snow Forest climate

Answer 6

40N-60N only in NH
Cold temperate to polar zones
Warm moist summers/very cold winters

Canada/Scandinavia/Northern Russia

Question 7

Polar/Snow Climate

Answer 7

65/90 N/S
Cold and dry
Ground permanently frozen
Periods of darkness in winter
Max temp +10 degrees
Unsettled in summer with PFD passing

Question 8

Monsoon condition in July

Answer 8

NH summer
SE back across the equator to blow from the SW

Harmattan SW - Wet Monsoon
India SW - Wet Monsoon
South East Asia - Wet Monsoon

Question 9

Monsoon conditions in December

Answer 9

SH Summer
NE trade winds cross equator and deflected to NW

Northern Australia - Wet Monsoon - NW winds
North Africa Harmattan - Dry Monson - NE Winds

Question 10

El Niño

Answer 10

Change in normal water temps in South Pacific which changes pressure distribution across pacific leading to change in global weather patterns

Question 11

Polar Air Outbreaks

Answer 11

Fingers of polar air stretching out much further south than is usual

Question 12

Cold Air Drops

Answer 12

Stranded pools of cold polar air
300-600nm around 10 to 30,000ft lasting several days

Colder air aloft but warmer below
Most likely in sub tropical
Unstable convective weather

High pressure charts could indication (upper winds/temperature)

Question 13

Tropical Transitional (Savannah Climate) is characterised by

Answer 13

One short rainy season in summer and a long spell of dry arid conditions

Question 14

At what height (hpa) on a contour chart can cold air drop be identified

Answer 14

500hpa

Question 15

When are the rainy seasons in equatorial Africa

Answer 15

May to July NH
November to February SH

Question 16

Monsoons in Summer vs winter

Answer 16

Onshore wind/blowing from sea towards the land

Offshore wind blowing from the land to the sea

Question 17

How can easterly waves be identified on surface weather chart

Answer 17

As a weak trough

Originating in west Africa between 5N/20N
Summer/autumn/

Question 18

What conditions control the formation of the ITCZ

Answer 18

Convergence of trade winds and subtropical high pressure zone